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Extra-special Dawn recommendations!

Surrender by Sonya Hartnett

posted February 27, 2008 by Dawn

As life slips away, Gabriel looks back over his brief twenty years, which have been clouded by frustration and humiliation. A small town [in Australia] and distant parents ensure that he is never allowed to forget the horrific mistake he made as a child. He has only two friends-his dog, Surrender, and the unruly wild boy, Finnigan, with whom he made a boyhood pact.

When a series of arson attacks grips the town, Gabriel realizes how unpredictable and dangerous Finnigan is. Events begin to spiral out of control, and it becomes clear that only the most extreme measures will rid Gabriel of Finnigan for good.

-from the book jacket

Dawn says: A psychological thriller that was identified in 2007 as a Printz honor book (literary excellence in young adult literature) this one is not for the squeamish. Your brain will get a workout as you try to sort out fantasy from reality in the tortured mind of Gabriel. Recommended for teens 9^th grade and up.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

posted February 27, 2008 by Dawn

Welcome to Elsewhere. It is usually warm with a breeze, the sun and the stars shine brightly, and the beaches are marvelous. It’s quiet and peaceful here. And you can’t get sick or any older. It’s where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like earth, yet completely different from it. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth.

But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen (again). She wants to get her driver’s license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. She wants to fall in love. And now that she’s dead, Liz is forced to live a life she doesn’t want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it isn’t going well.

-from the book jacket

Dawn says: I know what you’re thinking; this book “sounds like a downer”. But think again! This was a terrific read and it had me laughing and, yeah, maybe shedding a tear or two on occasion. But all in all this is a very life affirming book and its message and images have stayed with me. Definitely one the best teen books I’ve read in the last 3 years. Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. By the way, we also have this title on CD! Recommended for teens 6^th grade and up.

The Trap by John Smelcer

posted January 4, 2008 by Dawn

Seventeen-year-old Johnny Least-Weasel knows that his grandfather Albert is a stubborn old man and won’t stop checking his own trap lines even though other men his age stopped doing so years ago. But Albert Least-Weasel has been running trap lines in the Alaskan wilderness alone for the past sixty years. Nothing has ever gone wrong on the trail he knows so well.

When Albert doesn’t come back from checking his traps, with the temperature steadily plummeting, Johnny must decide quickly whether to trust his grandfather or his own instincts.

Written in alternating chapters that relate the parallel stories of Johnny and his grandfather, this novel poignantly addresses the hardships of life in the far north, suggesting that the most dangerous traps need not be made of steel.

-from the book jacket

Dawn says: Read this beauty if you’re hankering for a survival adventure story! It is a quick read (170 pages) and will keep you riveted till the very end. But be sure to have a warm blanket and a hot cup of cocoa at the ready. This author will put you in the Alaskan wilderness! Recommended for teens 6^th grade and up.

The Black Book of Secrets by F. E. Higgins

posted January 4, 2008 by Dawn

A boy arrives at a remote village in the dead of night. His name is Ludlow Fitch-and he is running from a most terrible past. What he is about to learn is that in this village is the life he has dreamed of-a safe place to live, and a job, as the assistant to the mysterious pawnbroker who trades people’s deepest, darkest secrets for cash. Ludlow’s job is to neatly transcribe the confessions in an ancient leather-bound tome: The Black Book of Secrets.

-from the book jacket

Dawn says: Ok, confession time. I’m a big fan of Charles Dickens’s books so the setting of this book, very dark late 19^th century London-esque, grabbed me from the get go! I really enjoyed this mystery and waited with anticipation as the characters revealed their sins! Need I write more to entice you to read this book? How about the first line of the book?

“When I opened my eyes I knew that nothing in my miserable life prior to that moment could possibly be as bad as what was about to happen.”

Recommended for teens 6^th grade and up.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

reviewed 3/19/07 by hannah

I am a great fan of vampire stories, especially those that are romanticized, so it is no great wonder that I really enjoyed this book. I mean, this is a really good book. I hate to admit that I am obsessed and read it within three days. The title really says it all. I found out about this book through my friends (Tami), and fell in love with it.

Right after having read Twilight, I was able to read New Moon. (lucky that my friend had BOTH the books) I wouldn't have been able to wait forever to read the second one...I'm dying already to know what happens in the third! This book, I think, is just absolutely wonderful. I've never found a book I can read over and over and never be bored with. Twilight is endlessly entertaining. It looks like one of those teenage girl romance books, but it is so much more.

Twilight is about an intense attraction between a teenage human girl, Bella, who falls in love with unintentionally seductive teenage vampire boy, whose name is Edward. Both are drawn to each other in more ways than one. The relationship is indescribably dangerous for the both of them but the two can't help but fall in love. Their love for each other goes beyond undying. It is something that makes anyone entirely wistful. They are faced with many conflicts and amazingly overcome each one. This author's idea of vampires and what makes them vulnerable and what they are capable of is very interesting and rather believable. The character development is out of this world. Bella is someone anyone can easily relate to, and you can understand why it is that she falls hopelessly in love with this vampire. And the first thing that draws me to Edward is that he must constantly exercise self control. He must not feed his hunger and he must deny himself pleasures. Really, it's an amazing book. Read it.

This is the first of 5 books. Book 2 is "New Moon" available now. Book 3 "Eclipse" should be published Aug/Sep 2007. Book 4 "Breaking Dawn" should be published late 2008. Book 5 "Midnight Sun" has no estimated date. It is a retelling of book 1 from Edward's point of view. Book 1 is done from Bella's point of view. The author has the 1st chapter of book 5 on her website. It's fascinating and makes me desperate to get the book when it finally comes out. For those of you who can't get enough of this story, there are two stories written by a fan on the fanfiction website. On that site, search under Pen Name: twieveluv and you should see two stories titled "the moonlight" and "like us". I enjoyed these as a temporary fix while waiting for Stephenie Meyer's future books.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

reviewed 3/10/07 by Taylor
This book is written very well. I love how the author gives each character a completely different personality and explains them so well. This book is humorous at times, but has a very serious moral. You will not be disappointed!

Raven's Point by Melinda Metz

reviewed by waifthecat 10/25/06
This book was terrible. It was poorly written and seemed to have no plot for 200 pages. After there seems to be a plot the book ends in 40 pages. It jumps back and forth between different people's views and was a waste of time. I wish I had never wasted my time with this book.

The Fetch by Chris Humphreys

reviewed by waifthecat 10/25/06
I thought this book was very well written. It was exciting and always made you ask what would happen next. The adventures are thrilling. An excellent book!

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

reviewed 9/14/06 by waifthecat

New Moon was an excellent book. Stephenie Meyer keeps you interested in what's going on at all times. It catches and keeps your attention with all the thrills and dangers. As I read the book I never wanted to put it down. It held my interest all the way through and I can't wait until the next comes out. If you like an adventure/danger/love/friendship/fantasy/well just about anything and everything, this is the book.

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